Avoid Ethical Pitfalls Flashcards
What is the central question in any multiple-relationship situation?
Whose needs are being met here? (Whenever the answer is the needs of the psychologist, that’s a time when psychologist needs to take great care and get a consultation.)
What are stealth dilemmas?
Situations that develop gradually, moving step by small step beyond once firm professional boundaries. Although each step seemed harmless at the time, many practitioners later realize that they have landed themselves in deep trouble.
What are 3 factors to consider in multiple relationships?
Power: How much of a power differential is there between the psychologist and the other person?
Duration: Will it be brief contact, or will it be continuous or episodic contact over a long time?
Termination: Has the therapeutic relationship been permanently terminated, and does the client understand that as well?
What is the rule regarding sexual relationships with clients?
Sexual relationships with current clients are never permissible. These relationships do not automatically violate the Ethics Code if they occur more than two years after the therapy’s termination, but psychologists need to be mindful of the harm that can come from a sexual involvement with a client no matter when it occurs.
You are working with a child with autism who attends a youth program at your local religious program (you attend). The church staff know you provide services to the family and come up to you and state the child is very disruptive during the youth program and asks “What do you and the parents do when Eric refuses to sit on the chair and flops on the floor and makes all those noises?” What do you say?
I am unable to make any disclosures about clients without their consent. (There are presumably no laws mandating or permitting the disclosure.)
When may you disclose client information?
You must obey mandatory reporting laws. Even if the psychologist believes that recording abuse will make the situation even worse, these laws are mandatory reporting laws, not discretionary reporting laws. There must be a law that mandates or permits the disclosure unless client consent has been obtained.
How do you prevent confidentiality problems?
Discuss the limits of confidentiality; ensure the storage of confidential records; know federal and state laws (HIPAA; mandatory reporting laws).
What is meant by respecting people’s autonomy?
Psychologists need to provide clients (or those giving them permission) with information they need to give their informed consent right at the start. They must discuss:
- limits of confidentiality, such as mandatory reporting
- nature and extent of the clinician’s record-keeping
- the clinician’s expertise, experience, and training as well as areas where the therapist lacks training
- estimated length of therapy
- alternative treatment or service approaches
- the clinician’s fees and billing practices
- who to contact in case of emergency
- client’s right to terminate sessions and any financial obligations if that occurs
- not only what services the psychologist will provide, but what they can’t or won’t do
Who is responsible for the acts of interns?
Psychologists may be responsible for the acts of those who perform work under their watch, whether it’s interns providing therapy or administrative assistants helping with record-keeping and billing.
If it goes under your name, you’re responsible.
What is the major responsibility of a supervising psychologist?
Continually assessing their supervisees’ competence and making sure they are managing them appropriately.
Such supervision should cover everything from ensuring that supervisees conduct the informed-consent process correctly to prohibiting them from using the supervisor’s signature stamp on any bill or letter that the supervisor hasn’t reviewed.
Why is it important to identify your role?
When practicing psychologists work with organizations or groups of individuals, they should understand from the start who they were hired to help and what is expected of them.
What is the rule regarding documentation?
Documentation can be a psychologist’s best ally if ever faced with ethical charges. However, lacking documentation, or the wrong kind of documentation, can be detrimental. Include all relevant information, never alter a record after the fact, and use documentation to your advantage.
Does being certified as a BCBA make you competent to practice?
No, behavior analysts should only practice when and where they have expertise.
What is meant by abandonment?
Abandonment is ending treatment with the patient without proper treatment termination procedures - inappropriately ending treatment, such as halting needed therapy with no notice.
Proper termination can occur when clients aren’t benefiting from therapy; may be harmed by the treatment; no longer need therapy; or threaten the therapist, themselves, or others.
How do you avoid “dumping” the client?
Plan ahead by discussing termination issues during the first session. Provide pretermination counseling and suggest alternative service providers, noting that this may not be possible in all cases, such as if a patient abruptly stopped attending therapy.
